Abstract
Objective: To assess the menopausal perceptions and experiences of older women from selected sites in Botswana. Design: This study used snowball sampling to recruit 444 older women in four health districts of Botswana. Trained research assistants administered a structured questionnaire to determine respondents’ menopausal symptoms, perceptions and knowledge of menopause and sexual experiences. Multiple logistic regression procedures were used to evaluate the association of socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge of menopause and factor analysis was used to cluster menopausal symptoms. Results: Participants had low levels of knowledge and awareness of menopause. The three most common changes identified were weakening of bones (78%), changes in sex drive (69.6%), and difficulty working (56.2%). The majority of respondents perceived menopause as freedom from menstrual cycles (85%) and cost saving (65%). Employment status was significantly associated with knowledge of menopause. The mean age at menopause was 48.9 years. With an average life expectancy of 54.5 years, there remains about 6 years of postmenopausal life. Recommendation: Public health care systems in and beyond Botswana should mobilize resources and take measures to improve older women’s awareness and knowledge about menopause-related changes through educational training and guidance to maintain active, healthy lives.
Highlights
This study investigates the perceptions, knowledge and experiences of menopause among a sample of older women in order to understand the supports and services they need
Participants in this study of older women and menopause, perceived menopause as: 1) a health situation that comes with medical problems requiring interventions, 2) a positive and normal event which relieves them of menstruation, 3) creating a relaxed mood and 4) a cost saving life change
In [30,31], menopause is seen as beneficial in some cultures as it: frees women of societal taboos and restrictions associated with menstruation and from repeated pregnancies that may be dangerous and stressful due to a lack of medical facilities
Summary
This study investigates the perceptions, knowledge and experiences of menopause among a sample of older women in order to understand the supports and services they need. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using in-depth interviews with women aged 50 years and over in four districts (two rural and two urban) of Botswana. The results are presented in terms of five study objectives, namely, socio-demographic characteristics, perceptions and knowledge of menopause, factors affecting knowledge of menopause, patterns and clustering of experiences of menopause, and pre-and post-menopausal sexual experiences
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